49ers sign LS Nelson; cut P Santella

The 49ers have added a familiar face to provide more competition for 36-year-old long snapper Brian Jennings.

Kyle Nelson. (AP)

On Wednesday, San Francisco claimed long snapper Kyle Nelson off waivers from the Chargers. Nelson, 26, spent last offseason with the 49ers and was among the final roster cuts. San Diego signed Nelson in November after long snapper Mike Windt sustained a wrist injury. Nelson made his NFL debut en route to playing in the Chargers’ final six games.

To make room for Nelson on the roster, the 49ers cut punter Anthony Santella, who was signed on May 7.

The 49ers now have three long snappers on their roster: Jennings, Nelson and Kevin McDermott, an undrafted free agent from UCLA.

This marks the second straight season the 49ers have signed two long snappers to compete with Jennings, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who is regarded as one of the NFL’s best at his position.

Last year, San Francisco brought in Nelson and Ryan Pontbriand, a two-time Pro Bowler with the Browns who played for 49ers special teams coach Brad Seely in Cleveland. Given his pedigree, Pontbriand was viewed as serious competition for Jennings, but he was cut in June and did not play in the NFL last year.

The 49ers could be intrigued by Nelson’s potential versatility. At New Mexico State, he also played tight end and caught 66 passes for 559 yards and two touchdowns in his career. Nelson lined up at tight end during offseason practices last year. During the rookie minicamp earlier this month, tight end Vance McDonald, a second-round pick, also worked on long-snapping, a duty he occasionally handled at Rice.

Jennings, who has never played another position during his 13-year career, will set a franchise record for most consecutive games played if he appears in the season opener on Sept. 8 against the Packers. He has played in 208 straight games, tying him with offensive tackle Len Rhode (1960-74).